Centre revamp provides safe halfway house to jobs

The City of Sydney, the Property Industry Foundation and the Salvation Army have transformed a former inner-city medical centre into long-stay accommodation for up to seven young homeless.

Lord Mayor
Clover Moore
said PIF House, in Regent Street, Redfern, would provide a secure and well-equipped environment for the homeless young so they could move off the street and into employment.

She said there was “an urgent need for more quality, affordable housing close to the city" to ensure the young could live close to support networks and employment opportunities and be part of “a diverse, caring and fair city".

The City of Sydney contributed the property and $250,000 for essential compliance works; the Property Industry Foundation spent $250,000 on renovation and refurbishment: and the Salvation Army will provide 24-hour support through two house “parents" from the Oasis Youth Support Network.

PIF chief executive Rosemary Smithson said the foundation had placed 12 young people in jobs in property as part of its Rebuild a Young Life program, but found that good accommodation was essential for solid employment.

“PIF House will cater for up to 40 young people over the next five years," Ms Smithson said.